Alabama Requirements for Veterinary Technicians

In order to work as a veterinary technician in Alabama, individuals must be licensed with the state. The qualifications for being licensed include being at least 18 years old, demonstrating good character, and proof of the completion of an animal technology program from an approved school. New vet techs must also submit an application with a fee to the Alabama State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners and must pass a national licensing exam with a score of at least 70 percent. Vet techs are required to take continuing education courses and to renew licensing every year.

AVMA-Accredited Veterinary Technician Programs

The American Veterinary Medical Association accredits vet tech training programs at schools throughout the country. There are two AVMA-accredited programs in Alabama at Faulkner State Community College in Bay Minette and at Jefferson State Community College in Birmingham. Students completing either of these programs will earn an associate of applied science degree and will be prepared to be licensed in the state. The program at Faulkner is new and has only received initial accreditation, while the Jefferson program is fully accredited and has been since 2007.

Major Veterinary Technician Employers in Alabama

There are 840 veterinary technicians currently employed in the state of Alabama, but the number of positions is always growing and there are plenty of opportunities for anyone hoping to enter this field. Vet techs work in animal hospitals, veterinary practices, research facilities, kennels, shelters and stables. Some of the facilities looking for vet techs include:

Southwest Alabama nonmetropolitan area Area

James H Faulkner State Community College

James H Faulkner State Community College’s Associate-level Veterinary Technology program is based at their campus in the town of Bay Minette, AL. Most of the school’s 4,481 students are on 2-year programs. The cost of tuition for students living in the state is roughly about $4,320 and for students from other states around $7,770 for each academic year, while study materials may cost roughly $1,450, depending on the program. Students in the Vet Tech Program see real-world experience by visiting industry across the area. Trips have included the State Diagnostic Laboratory and the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo to understand other areas of the Veterinary field.

Birmingham-Hoover, AL Area

Jefferson State Community College

Jefferson State Community College’s Associate program is based at their campus in the city of Birmingham, AL. The college has round 8,516 students in total, with the majority of students on 2-year programs. The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges. The cost of tuition for students living in the state is roughly about $4,380 and for students from other states around $7,830 for each academic year. Study materials can cost roughly $1,982, depending on the program chosen.

Huntsville, AL Area

Ross Medical Education Center-Huntsville

The Certificate program at Ross Medical Education Center can be taken at their Huntsville campus in the city of Huntsville. The cost of tuition for the Vet Tech program is broadly around $14,200 for each academic year. Usually, the program is completed in 9 months.

Southeast Alabama nonmetropolitan area Area

Tuskegee University

The Master’s degree program at Tuskegee University can be taken at their campus in the town of Tuskegee. This is a full, 4-year private college with 3,103 students, of which 83% are undergraduates. The university is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges. Tuition fees are broadly around $20,015 for each academic year, while study materials may cost roughly $1,603, depending on the program. The Master of Science in Veterinary Science graduate program at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Nursing and Allied Health produces successful academicians and investigators in the areas of cancer cell biology, HIV/AIDS, cancer and nano-therapy, reproductive biology, risk analysis / epidemiology, food safety and control of food intake.

* Tuition fees and accredition status are correct at the time of writing, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (http://nces.ed.gov/). Confirm with college before applying.